Diamond doves and zebra finches?

[apachetear]

Can they be housed together successfully? I have 6 zebra finches, would zf's as a species be too aggressive? I'm seriously thinking of getting a pair of diamond doves, so any other info on diamond doves would be appreciated

[Neysa]

I was thinking about doing the same thing a few months ago. The research I found said that the zebras might pluck the feathers of the diamond doves until the poor doves couldn't fly. Decided it wasn't worth it. Still want the doves, but will have to wait a while before I can build more cages. Have to ease hubby into it gently.

[Dan]

I wouldn't unless you have a large outdoor avairy with plenty of cover. Zebras can be quite aggressive for their size. My pair sometimes have verbal slanging matches with my other finches in the next cage, It's quite funny to watch.

[apachetear]

I know its unlikely to make a difference but here is the cage size 66 x 66 x 155 cm.
Im disappointed about them not being able to be housed together, i really would like some.
I have spare cages but i dont have the space to have them constantly set up in separate cages to the zf's.

[tobyneilson]

I have two pairs of zebs housed with a pair of diamonds in a large flight cage,not had any trouble.
It all deends on the individual birds,some are agressive some are not.
I would get a pair and try it,just have a seperate cage in case it is needed,I always have a couple empty cages just in case some of my birds do not get on
I love diamonds think they are wonderfull birds to keep and can be very sociable,when it is flight time mine will come and sit and walk around on me

[Nipper06]

Your cage size (66 x 66 x 155 cm = 25 inches X 25 inches X 61 inches) sounds way too small to try diamond doves in with 6 zebras. Hopefully, the cage is 155 cm (61 inches) wide (and not 155 cm tall and 66 cm wide?), even for just 6 zebras. A separate cage for the doves, that is wider than tall, without a mesh bottom, would be better for them.

Diamond Doves can coexist with most finches but, as someone else said, an aviary would be better. Doves prefer cages without mesh bottoms because they like to walk and feed on the bottom of the cage. I always feed my doves in plastic parakeet "bathtubs" on the floor of their cages - not only do they prefer to eat on the ground but they fling lots of seed around.

If you decide to get Diamond Doves, also keep in mind that 2 pairs in a cage may be a problem - the males may fight - they are pretty territorial. Also, the males may not tolerate their babies in the cage, once they grow to adult size, esp if the pair lays more eggs and so is breeding again. My male dove (below) was fine with his babies until they grew in their long tails. Once they had the shape of their parents, he wanted them out !!

Here's a Diamond Dove I had many years ago. He lived to age 15 and fathered many babies... and he was finger-tame, which is not that common with Diamonds. He lived in a smaller cage but got free flight time outside the cage every day. He was very territorial. When I let him out of his cage, his first action was always to fly over to my toaster and attack his reflection - hence his name "Pecker".